The Chuck ToddCast

In this special episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck addresses the latest fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, the third such incident in recent weeks amid the Trump administration’s intensified enforcement operations. A man was shot and killed by federal officers during an ICE-linked operation, reigniting outrage and controversy over the use of force by federal law enforcement and further eroding trust in the Department of Homeland Security’s narrative after Minneapolis residents and officials disputed the official account and demanded transparency.
Chuck unpacks why video and witness accounts have raised serious questions about the necessity and proportionality of deadly force, why many critics call for a neutral, third-party investigation rather than relying on the federal government’s account, and how this incident compounds public concerns about aggressive policing tactics and civil liberties in enforcement operations. He also explores how the recurring confrontations between federal agents and Minneapolis residents are fueling broader political backlash, deepening tensions between local and federal authorities, and challenging Americans’ confidence in how federal agencies conduct operations on U.S. soil.
Timeline:
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
00:30 Another Minneapolis resident shot dead by federal agents
01:15 Video is disturbing. Man looked to be subdued before being shot
01:45 DHS says man was armed, didn’t say he was brandishing it
02:15 Conceal carry & open carry are allowed in Minnesota with permit
03:15 DHS has very low credibility with the press & the public
04:30 Why did agents back away and shoot rather than cuff the suspect
05:15 We need a neutral investigation into the shooting
06:00 We can’t trust the story from the federal government
07:00 The grotesque policing by ICE is incredibly unpopular
07:30 DHS used bloodthirsty rhetoric in recruiting videos
09:00 The administration has deliberately put Minneapolis in harm’s way
10:30 ICE are untrained thugs attacking Americans
11:30 Trump donors that employ undocumented workers aren’t targeted
12:30 It feels like ICE is looking for a fight
13:45 American wants law enforcement to follow the law
14:30 The federal government & their agents are on a power trip
16:00 How DHS words their statements is very telling
16:45 Need a third party investigation since DHS can’t be trusted
18:00 The reputation of every law enforcement agency has been tarnished
18:45 Kristi Noem is the obvious scapegoat if Trump wants an offramp
19:30 Where are all the libertarians and small government conservatives?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss the unprecedented federal immigration enforcement crisis unfolding in his city as masked ICE and DHS agents have effectively occupied Minneapolis in what appears to be an operation designed more for political retribution than public safety. Frey explains the complex dynamics between city, state, and federal authority, noting that Minneapolis maintains a policy of not coordinating with federal immigration enforcement because police officers should focus on keeping communities safe rather than targeting immigrants. He reveals alarming constitutional violations, including non-white off-duty Minneapolis police officers being racially profiled and harassed by ICE agents and residents being stopped and asked for ID based on their accents. With Minneapolis already critically understaffed on police officers per capita, the massive imbalance between local law enforcement and ICE agents has created a tenuous situation where police are forced to respond to citizens being harassed while protesters exercise their First Amendment rights.
The crisis has been compounded by what Frey describes as a weaponized Department of Justice that can't be trusted, evidenced by his office receiving a subpoena. The mayor emphasizes that much of the federal action stems from a fraud issue that had nothing to do with illegal immigration, yet racist attacks on the Somali community followed—despite the fact that Somalis in Minneapolis came legally as refugees and most are U.S. citizens. Frey has held discussions with Governor Tim Walz about potentially deploying the Minnesota National Guard and worries about his ability to conduct a real investigation into the shooting of Renee Good by ICE. Frey contends the operation is designed to whip the public into a frenzy rather than address genuine immigration concerns.
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Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joins the Chuck ToddCast
00:30 Structure of Minneapolis law enforcement & the mayor’s powers
01:45 What is the line between city & state, and federal vs. state/city authority?
02:30 Minneapolis officials don’t coordinate with feds on immigration
03:30 Police officers should keep community safe, not target immigrants
04:30 Would you release a proven criminal into ICE custody?
06:00 Escalation with ICE & DHS went from 0-100 in Minneapolis
06:45 OMB sent a letter threatening to cut all fed funds over DEI
07:45 DHS seems intent on political retribution, not safety or immigration
09:30 There was a real issue with fraud, & racist attacks on Somalis followed
10:15 Somalis in Minneapolis came legally as refugees, most are citizens
11:00 Fraud issue had nothing to do with illegal immigrants
12:15 Is ICE responsible for longer 911 wait times?
12:45 Minneapolis is very low on police officers per capita
13:15 There’s a massive imbalance between police officers & ICE agents
13:45 What are the police supposed to do if citizens are harassed by ICE?
15:00 Police are forced into a difficult & tenuous situation dealing with ICE
16:00 Do you believe the ICE operations are designed to provoke a response?
16:30 ICE are trying to whip the public into a frenzy
17:15 Is there a legal avenue for you to push back against DHS/ICE?
18:15 There have been unimaginable constitutional violations by ICE
19:15 Non-white off duty Minneapolis officers have been harassed by ICE
20:30 People are being racially profiled and asked for their ID
21:30 ICE needs to be better trained and have a moral compass
22:15 Police received a call from a 5 year old whose parents were taken
23:00 Worried that residents could take matters into their own hands?
24:00 Has the “No ICE on city property” policy worked?
25:00 There have been talks with Tim Walz over deploying MN national guard
26:15 What’s behind the subpoena received by the mayor’s office?
26:45 DOJ is being weaponized to target leaders that disagree with Trump
27:45 The current Department of Justice can’t be trusted
29:15 There’s so much value to having career civil servants over political loyalists
31:15 There’s been a failure to believe that Trump will do what he says he’ll do
32:00 Any end in sight to the ICE occupation of Minneapolis?
32:45 Will you be able to do a real investigation into the shooting of Renee Good?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this “TACO Trump Thursday” episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down how market pressure forced Donald Trump to abruptly back off his Greenland threats and announce a face-saving deal—one that looks suspiciously like what already existed—underscoring how easily Trump can be manipulated and how desperate he is to cement a sense of historical relevance. Even as Republicans in Congress continue to appease him, the damage to America’s relationships with Canada and Europe is already done, and Trump’s indifference to NATO and unilateral approach ensures lasting consequences well beyond any short-term retreat. The conversation then turns to the political fallout at home: the perilous midterm landscape for Democrats, a messy Minnesota Senate race, why conventional Republicans still can’t win blue-leaning states without a net-positive environment, and how figures like Bill Cassidy may have no path forward inside today’s GOP. Chuck also digs into the Democratic Party’s looming 2028 calendar fight, arguing the DNC should rethink its early-state strategy by looking hard at Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska—and remembering that winning rural America, not just big cities, is the only way to build a durable majority.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joins the Chuck ToddCast to discuss the unprecedented federal immigration enforcement crisis unfolding in his city as masked ICE and DHS agents have effectively occupied Minneapolis in what appears to be an operation designed more for political retribution than public safety. Frey explains the complex dynamics between city, state, and federal authority, noting that Minneapolis maintains a policy of not coordinating with federal immigration enforcement because police officers should focus on keeping communities safe rather than targeting immigrants. He reveals alarming constitutional violations, including non-white off-duty Minneapolis police officers being racially profiled and harassed by ICE agents and residents being stopped and asked for ID based on their accents. With Minneapolis already critically understaffed on police officers per capita, the massive imbalance between local law enforcement and ICE agents has created a tenuous situation where police are forced to respond to citizens being harassed while protesters exercise their First Amendment rights.
The crisis has been compounded by what Frey describes as a weaponized Department of Justice that can't be trusted, evidenced by his office receiving a subpoena.The mayor emphasizes that much of the federal action stems from a fraud issue that had nothing to do with illegal immigration, yet racist attacks on the Somali community followed—despite the fact that Somalis in Minneapolis came legally as refugees and most are U.S. citizens. Frey has held discussions with Governor Tim Walz about potentially deploying the Minnesota National Guard and worries about his ability to conduct a real investigation into the shooting of Renee Good by ICE. Frey contends the operation is designed to whip the public into a frenzy rather than address genuine immigration concerns.
Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions and explains a gripe he has with the baseball Hall of Fame.
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction - Welcome to TACO Thursday
00:30 Trump backs off Greenland threats & announces deal after markets tank
02:30 Mark Carney’s speech to Davos resonated & he won’t back off it
04:00 Trump is an easy mark, and a frustrating mark
04:30 They’re likely copy+pasting the same deal we had, but Trump signs it
05:30 Republicans in congress know they have to appease Trump
06:30 Trump is desperate to be historically relevant & will be
07:15 Trump did terrible damage to American relationship with Canada & Europe
08:15 Trump doesn’t care if NATO survives or will abide by the treaty
10:00 Trump backing down won’t change the trajectory of how other countries act
12:30 Trump’s unilateral actions will have consequences
14:00 Feels like a time the out party wins everything, but it’s a tough path for Dems
15:15 Democrats need to be careful with candidate selection to win midterms
16:00 Michelle Tafoya announces senate bid in Minnesota
16:45 Tafoya hasn’t announced much policy, mostly just anti-woke rhetoric
18:15 The Democratic senate primary in Minnesota has been messy
20:00 Conventional conservative Republican doesn’t win in Minnesota
21:15 Republicans would need to be in a net-positive environment to win Minnesota
23:00 If Susan Collins doesn’t run, Maine is off the board for Republicans
24:00 Julia Letlow announces race, promises to be rubber stamp for Trump
25:30 GOP establishment won’t get involved in helping Bill Cassidy
26:15 Cassidy’s only path to winning seat is to run as Independent
28:30 Paul Finnebaum will struggle to run in Alabama after Trump endorsement
30:15 Twelve states applied to be first in the nation for Democrats in 2028
31:15 Iowa should be the first in the nation Dem state
32:30 Iowa has been good to the Democratic party, just not the Clintons
34:30 Just winning Des Moines isn’t enough, you have to win rural areas
36:15 Big Super PAC money can overwhelm in the bigger states
39:00 DNC should look at Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska
47:15 Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joins the Chuck ToddCast
47:45 Structure of Minneapolis law enforcement & the mayor’s powers
49:00 What is the line between city & state, and federal vs. state/city authority?
49:45 Minneapolis officials don’t coordinate with feds on immigration
50:45 Police officers should keep community safe, not target immigrants
51:45 Would you release a proven criminal into ICE custody?
53:15 Escalation with ICE & DHS went from 0-100 in Minneapolis
54:00 OMB sent a letter threatening to cut all fed funds over DEI
55:00 DHS seems intent on political retribution, not safety or immigration
56:45 There was a real issue with fraud, & racist attacks on Somalis followed
57:30 Somalis in Minneapolis came legally as refugees, most are citizens
58:15 Fraud issue had nothing to do with illegal immigrants
59:30 Is ICE responsible for longer 911 wait times?
1:00:00 Minneapolis is very low on police officers per capita
1:00:30 There’s a massive imbalance between police officers & ICE agents
1:01:00 What are the police supposed to do if citizens are harassed by ICE?
1:02:15 Police are forced into a difficult & tenuous situation dealing with ICE
1:03:15 Do you believe the ICE operations are designed to provoke a response?
1:03:45 ICE are trying to whip the public into a frenzy
1:04:30 Is there a legal avenue for you to push back against DHS/ICE?
1:05:30 There have been unimaginable constitutional violations by ICE
1:06:30 Non-white off duty Minneapolis officers have been harassed by ICE
1:07:45 People are being racially profiled and asked for their ID
1:08:45 ICE needs to be better trained and have a moral compass
1:09:30 Police received a call from a 5 year old whose parents were taken
1:10:15 Worried that residents could take matters into their own hands?
1:11:15 Has the “No ICE on city property” policy worked?
1:12:15 There have been talks with Tim Walz over deploying MN national guard
1:13:30 What’s behind the subpoena received by the mayor’s office?
1:14:00 DOJ is being weaponized to target leaders that disagree with Trump
1:15:00 The current Department of Justice can’t be trusted
1:16:30 There’s so much value to having career civil servants over political loyalists
1:18:30 There’s been a failure to believe that Trump will do what he says he’ll do
1:19:15 Any end in sight to the ICE occupation of Minneapolis?
1:20:00 Will you be able to do a real investigation into the shooting of Renee Good?
1:22:00 Ask Chuck
1:22:45 Why are so many senators unwilling to challenge Trump on foreign policy?
1:28:15 Do political teams consult psychologists when dealing with Trump?
1:32:30 Why hasn’t Trump’s lack of student loan repayment program gotten attention?
1:35:45 Is it crazy to think that California could become a swing state?
1:39:45 Chances of Mike Johnson refusing to certify and seat a Democratic congress?
1:44:30 Baseball Hall of Fame has made itself irrelevant
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this “TACO Trump Thursday” episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down how market pressure forced Donald Trump to abruptly back off his Greenland threats and announce a face-saving deal—one that looks suspiciously like what already existed—underscoring how easily Trump can be manipulated and how desperate he is to cement a sense of historical relevance. Even as Republicans in Congress continue to appease him, the damage to America’s relationships with Canada and Europe is already done, and Trump’s indifference to NATO and unilateral approach ensures lasting consequences well beyond any short-term retreat. The conversation then turns to the political fallout at home: the perilous midterm landscape for Democrats, a messy Minnesota Senate race, why conventional Republicans still can’t win blue-leaning states without a net-positive environment, and how figures like Bill Cassidy may have no path forward inside today’s GOP. Chuck also digs into the Democratic Party’s looming 2028 calendar fight, arguing the DNC should rethink its early-state strategy by looking hard at Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska—and remembering that winning rural America, not just big cities, is the only way to build a durable majority.
Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions and explains a gripe he has with the baseball Hall of Fame.
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction - Welcome to TACO Thursday
00:30 Trump backs off Greenland threats & announces deal after markets tank
02:30 Mark Carney’s speech to Davos resonated & he won’t back off it
04:00 Trump is an easy mark, and a frustrating mark
04:30 They’re likely copy+pasting the same deal we had, but Trump signs it
05:30 Republicans in congress know they have to appease Trump
06:30 Trump is desperate to be historically relevant & will be
07:15 Trump did terrible damage to American relationship with Canada & Europe
08:15 Trump doesn’t care if NATO survives or will abide by the treaty
10:00 Trump backing down won’t change the trajectory of how other countries act
10:45 Trump’s unilateral actions will have consequences
12:15 Feels like a time the out party wins everything, but it’s a tough path for Dems
13:30 Democrats need to be careful with candidate selection to win midterms
14:15 Michelle Tafoya announces senate bid in Minnesota
15:00 Tafoya hasn’t announced much policy, mostly just anti-woke rhetoric
16:30 The Democratic senate primary in Minnesota has been messy
18:15 Conventional conservative Republican doesn’t win in Minnesota
19:30 Republicans would need to be in a net-positive environment to win Minnesota
21:15 If Susan Collins doesn’t run, Maine is off the board for Republicans
22:15 Julia Letlow announces race, promises to be rubber stamp for Trump
23:45 GOP establishment won’t get involved in helping Bill Cassidy
24:30 Cassidy’s only path to winning seat is to run as Independent
26:45 Paul Finnebaum will struggle to run in Alabama after Trump endorsement
28:30 Twelve states applied to be first in the nation for Democrats in 2028
29:30 Iowa should be the first in the nation Dem state
30:45 Iowa has been good to the Democratic party, just not the Clintons
32:45 Just winning Des Moines isn’t enough, you have to win rural areas
34:30 Big Super PAC money can overwhelm in the bigger states
37:15 DNC should look at Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska
45:00 Ask Chuck
45:45 Why are so many senators unwilling to challenge Trump on foreign policy?
51:15 Do political teams consult psychologists when dealing with Trump?
55:30 Why hasn’t Trump’s lack of student loan repayment program gotten attention?
58:45 Is it crazy to think that California could become a swing state?
1:02:45 Chances of Mike Johnson refusing to certify and seat a Democratic congress?
1:07:30 Baseball Hall of Fame has made itself irrelevant
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck delivers a blunt warning about how Donald Trump’s erratic, ahistorical tariff strategy is pushing the United States toward a self-inflicted crisis—one that could even stumble into war. With none of the usual political penalties applying to Trump, elected Republicans have opted for fearful silence, becoming complicit as tariffs punish American taxpayers and U.S. credibility abroad rapidly erodes. Americans, worn down by “Trump Exhaustion Syndrome” and the lack of consequences after January 6th, are watching as the last real guardrail—the economy—buckles under market turmoil, while Congress and the Supreme Court delay or abdicate their responsibility to act.
The episode underscores the extraordinary global fallout: Canada openly questioning whether it can rely on the U.S., wargaming invasion scenarios, pursuing “strategic autonomy,” and calling for new middle-power alliances even as it reaffirms commitment to NATO. As isolationism spreads and the rules-based order America once led begins to fracture, Chuck argues that only a congressional reckoning—or a midterm revolt—can halt the damage and preserve the country’s democratic institutions.
Finally, Chuck updates his ToddCast Top 5 senate seats Democrats are most likely to flip in the midterms, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps his experience at the college football national championship game… and the insane prices being charged to attend.
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
02:00 Trump is potentially stumbling into a war over tariffs
03:00 Trump’s strategy is erratic & detached from historical norms
03:45 None of the usual political penalties apply to Trump
04:15 Canada is preparing & worrying that U.S. could invade
04:45 Trump’s tariffs punish the American taxpayer
05:30 Elected Republicans are afraid of voicing dissent
06:45 Republicans choose silence & makes them complicit
08:00 Americans are numb, suffering from “Trump Exhaustion Syndrome”
09:00 Lack of consequences for January 6th emboldened Trump
10:45 Trump has weakened American credibility abroad
12:00 There’s little check left in the GOP to prevent damage
12:30 The only guardrail left is the economy and markets, which cratered
14:15 Isolationism is terrible politics and terrible for the country
15:15 Congress is the only institution that can stop Trump & is abdicating
16:15 SCOTUS delays ruling on tariffs, making them hard to unwind
17:15 It’s possible the midterms become a revolt & sober up the GOP
17:45 Trump is affected by the “political YOLO virus”
18:30 Mitch McConnell could have changed the course of history, and didn’t
19:30 Trump has made America most vulnerable & isolated in decades
21:00 Canadian PM gives Davos speech pleading with Americans
22:00 When America chooses isolationism, so will everyone else
23:00 Canada has shifted toward “strategic autonomy”
24:15 Carney is saying Canada can’t rely on the United States
25:00 Canada is wargaming for an invasion from the south
25:45 Canada proposes a middle power trading bloc
27:15 Carney says Canada stands committed to NATO’s Article 5
27:45 Canada looking for new partners to confront an aggressive U.S.
28:30 America has thrived atop the rules based order, and is risking everything
30:45 25th Amendment intended for true incapacitation
31:30 Congress has to do its job to preserve the America we love
38:30 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Gina Hinojosa
40:00 ToddCast Top 5 seats Democrats can win & flip senate
42:45 #1 North Carolina & #2 Maine
46:30 #3 Michigan
49:45 #4 Ohio
51:15 #5 Alaska
54:30 Ask Chuck
55:15 Which presidency would be more dangerous… Trump or Vance?
59:30 If most Americans are center left or right, why can’t we elect centrists?
1:04:15 Would military action against a treaty ally be considered an illegal order?
1:07:45 How should the country resolve insider trading on the prediction markets?
1:09:15 Reaction to Indiana winning National Championship over Miami
1:19:30 The prices at the National Championship were highway robbery
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.